Boko Haram Fighter Abandons Terrorism, Surrenders AK-47, IED as Troops Crush Kidnap Gang in Adamawa

• A Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) fighter has abandoned terrorism and surrendered to troops in Borno State with an AK-47 rifle.

• The fighter had escaped from a terrorist enclave before turning himself in at Borgozo, Benisheikh, in Kaga Local Government Area, while troops have taken him into custody for investigation and profiling.

• In a separate operation in Adamawa State, troops acting on credible intelligence have dismantled part of a suspected kidnapping network in Song Local Government Area, arresting six suspected members of the syndicate.

• The suspects have admitted participating in several ransom kidnappings and other violent crimes around Soktu, Dumne and Maigero, with troops recovering a Dane gun during the operation.

September 14, () – A Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) fighter has abandoned terrorism and surrendered to troops with an AK-47 rifle and an Improvised Explosive Device in Borno State.

Meanwhile, the troops in a separate operation in Adamawa State have arrested six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate accused of abducting victims for ransom and committing other violent crimes.

The twin operations by troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), were conducted in Borno and Adamawa States as the military sustained its intelligence-led offensive against terrorist and criminal elements threatening communities across the region.

Terrorist Escapes Enclave, Gives Up Arms

The surrender took place on Sunday, September 13, when troops of 29 Task Force Brigade, operating under Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, in conjunction with Forest Guards, received the suspected terrorist at Borgozo in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), preliminary investigation showed that the fighter had escaped from a terrorist enclave with the intention of abandoning terrorism.

reports that the fighter surrendered with one AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, four magazines, one IED, one magazine pouch and a bicycle.

The military said the surrendered fighter remains in custody and is undergoing further investigation and profiling in line with extant procedures.

Troops Close in on Adamawa Kidnap Syndicate

In Adamawa State, troops of Sector 4, Operation HADIN KAI, working with local hunters, launched an operation against a suspected kidnapping syndicate following credible human intelligence on its activities around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area.

The intelligence prompted troops to swiftly mobilise and raid an identified hideout, where three suspected members of the syndicate were arrested. One Dane gun was also recovered during the operation.

Rather than end the operation with the initial arrests, troops subsequently conducted covert operations based on information obtained during further investigation.

The follow-up operations resulted in the arrest of three additional suspects, bringing the total number of suspected members of the syndicate apprehended to six.

The military said preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate had been operating within the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero general areas of Song Local Government Area.

The suspects reportedly admitted involvement in the abduction of several victims for ransom, as well as other violent crimes in the area. They remain in military custody while investigation continues, after which they are expected to face appropriate legal action.

The Theatre Command said the latest successes underscored the sustained pressure being mounted by troops of Operation HADIN KAI against terrorists and other criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.

It said the command remained committed to sustaining offensive operations aimed at denying terrorists and other criminal groups freedom of action.

According to the military, the objective is also to create a safer environment for law-abiding citizens and enable socioeconomic activities to thrive.

The military said it would continue to deploy offensive operations and intelligence-driven measures to degrade terrorist and criminal networks and prevent them from establishing freedom of action across the region.